REGULATORS have held off from setting an implementation date for South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) toll increases, saying they need further clarification of a Supreme Court ruling that lifted a restraining order.
The matter, Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) spokesman Julius G. Corpuz yesterday said, involves whether last week’s ruling covered all cases contesting the toll hikes, particularly one filed by Albay Governor Jose "Joey" C. Salceda.
"The TRB will seek a clarification on the matter of the Salceda case," Mr. Corpuz said.
A toll hike can still be expected this year, he said, as the TRB board will meet again next week after deciding yesterday to seek the court clarification.
As the Supreme Court still has to decide on adjustments arising from the imposition of the 12% value-added tax (VAT), any increase will take into account existing rulings, Mr. Corpuz said.
"[If a] decision allowing the implementation of VAT will come first before the decision on our concern, we will have the implementation of VAT first without the toll hike," he said.
In last week’s ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of contracts between the government and tollway operators that allow for toll hikes.
Based on earlier TRB announcements, SLEx tolls would have to increase -- not including VAT adjustments -- to a range of P77-P232 from P22-65.
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